CBSTDCM launches publicity campaign
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 02 2016:
Ahead of the September 18 mass rally, the Coordinating Body of Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee (CBSTDCM) has launched a publicity campaign in Imphal East district today.
A statement issued by CBSTDCM publicity convenor W Ananda Meetei informed that similar publicity campaign would be launched in other districts too.
So far 98 rounds of public meetings, discussions, protest demonstrations, relay hunger strikes and group discussions have been held on the campaign to enlist Meetei/Meitei in ST category.
It also conveyed gratitude to all the people who took part in the relay hunger strikes staged at Ima Panthoibi Shanglen, Thangmeiband Maisnam Leikai from August 6 and WAL Club, Wangkhei from August 16 as well as all the people who extended moral support by way of donations in cash and kind.
To ensure security of Meetei/Meitei, enlistment of the community in ST category is indispensable, it asserted.
People are compelled to launch such a sustained, massive campaign as the political leaders of the State lack necessary will.
Only the right dose of political will at the right time can make the campaign successful.
However, if the political leaders choose dilly-dallying tactics by pitching one group of people against another, the result would not be desirable.
Rather than burying the campaign, it would turn out to be an open invitation for violence.
The State Government should submit Meetei/Meitei socio-economic report as well as the ethnographic report to the Government at the earliest, it urged.
The State Government must understand that saving Meetei/Meitei from possible extinction is one fundamental step towards protection of all the indigenous peoples of the land.
To put Meetei/Meitei in the ST category is one bounden duty of the State Government.
No Government should ever forget that they are accountable if any community living within the territory governed by them becomes extinct.
People should voice their opinion on the issue boldly without any sense of fear.
Only the people's voice can drive the Government.
People should not simply allow some sly organisations to determine the fate of Meitei/Meetei community.
One must not forget that people's voice is the God's voice.
Any objection or impedance to the collective aspiration of the masses cannot be a correct step and CBSTDCM would never remain silent to any such obstacles.
It then appealed to all the people to take part in the September 18 mass rally and make it a grand success.
People should have the courage to teach public leaders befitting lessons if they cannot respect people's aspiration.
The CBSTDCM further appealed to all local clubs, meira paibi groups and village authorities to support and defend the publicity campaigns if any one disturbs the campaigns in their respective areas.
The State Government should submit necessary documents and reports to the Government of India for enlistment of Meetei/Meitei in Scheduled list of the Constitution of India under Article 342(1) at the earliest, it demanded.
Comment
